Quality Winter Coat

[Kat]

When I was a teenager, my mom bought me a black pea coat at JC Penney. It lasted over 10 years. When it finally wore out, I bought another pea coat at JC Penney. A belt loop attached by hardware broke the first year; yesterday the buckle on the belt broke. Needless to say, I am not overly impressed with the quality. It only lasted a few seasons. Now I need to replace it and am wondering where I can find a good quality coat. Thrift stores in my area aren't very nice, so that really isn't an option. I am also looking for a wool coat in a pretty color, not a "puffy" winter coat.

Any ideas?

[ToomuchStuff]

When I was 16, I received a leather jacket for Christmas. I do know that both tanning of leather and the stitching that is done has gone down in quality (the tanning due to restrictions on the chemicals/methods used). There used to be a good leather factory for hides in South America, but it burned down long ago, but I am getting off the point.
That leather jacket lasted 10 years, before starting to fall apart at the sleeves and the lining starting to fall apart at the zipper. The last coat that was given to me that has lasted, anywhere as close, is a carhartt. I don't know what a pea coat is (assuming some women's coat), but you might look at industrial/uniform supply places. IMHE

[Float On]

I would suggest Land's End for a wool pea coat because they have a great return policy. My son's school uniforms are from Land's End and one pair of his pants wore out quickly (same washings as the other pair) and I just had those exchanged. I think they are having an outerwear sale now.http://www.landsend.com/pp/womens-pattern-wool-swing-car-coat~243892_59.html

[Sad Eyed Lady]

Look at L.L.Bean - they have good quality, (as far as I know now), plus if something goes wrong they will replace it. They also have free shipping. I have an L.L. Bean barn jacket coat that I have worn for many winters and it still looks nice. The only place that frayed was the lining near the collar because I had a habit of hanging it on a door knob. This eventually caused the lining to fray in that area, but I just mended it. As I understand the replacement, if you are not 100% satisfied at any time you can return it. I said replacement, but it may be a choice of replace or refund.

http://www.llbean.com/freeshipping

[Sad Eyed Lady]

I just noticed they have a classic lambswool peacoat on their website.

[ctg492]

As mentioned LLbean and Landsend.

[SteveinMN]

I have purchased Lands' End gear for years. I have noticed a distinct decline in the quality of the goods over the last few years. The Squall coat is much lighter, the cuff material is thinner, the pockets aren't stitched as tightly, little touches just seem to be missing. Their "classic" attaché/messenger bag now has lighter hardware and the stitching seems inferior there, as well. I do have a pair of hard-soled slippers from them that seems to be built in the old Lands' End fashion (though I wear them only rarely anymore) and the last pair of jeans I bought from them several years ago held up well. So maybe it's just what I'm buying.

But given that Lands' End has pretty much moved their manufacturing completely off-shore, too, it was all I needed to look around a little more and buy elsewhere. I'm not sure where I would buy a pea coat; I'd certainly look at L.L. Bean.

[Glo]

LL bean still has some good stuff but quality has gone down quite a bit. I don't mind paying their higher prices if the quality is there.

[Rosemary]

Sierra Trading Post often has great deals on high-end coats and other clothing.

[fidgiegirl]

Filson has a nice selection of ladies coats.
(http://www.filson.com/womens/coats-jackets/-1011/)
They are quite expensive, that is for sure, and beautiful quality.

But they have a lifetime warranty. DH had a Filson jacket for about 10 years when he noticed the buttonholes were fraying out. He sent it in for repair, and that lasted a season before the repair gave out, too. They then replaced the jacket. So after 10 years, he got a new coat, which could reasonably be expected to last at least another 10. It is a $300 coat.

[bunnys]

I got this Lands End coat 2 years ago and I love it. It's very cute but I don't wear it that often because it doesn't get that cold here. But it seems like good quality.

When I bought it it had a belt on the sleeve cuffs and no trim on the pockets but basically the same coat and it's on sale now.

http://www.landsend.com/pp/womens-luxe-wool-swing-car-coat~243894_59.html

[Rogar]

If you are looking more at a casual style, REI outlet has some deals. I get alot of things there.

http://www.rei.com/outlet

[Tradd]

I bought a wool swing coat (mid-thigh length) from Land's End about 5 years ago. Black. I think I paid $125 for it. Still going strong, and it's the only winter coat I have.

[Dhiana]

Since you like the pea coat style why not look for a real one? I wear my father-in-law's from his military days over 40 years ago and it is still in perfect condition. Maybe a thrift shop or an Army/Navy surplus store might have them.

[Kat]

Thanks, everyone, for the suggestions! I did think of LL Bean and Land's End, but I read (I think it was here) that the quality had gone down in recent years, so I wasn't sure if those would be good places to look. I did check them out, though, and saw a number of nice-looking coats. I thought I was pretty set on a peacoat, but the 3 in 1 coats look really nice, too. So versatile!

fidgie--never even heard of Filson but thought those coats looked very nice! A lifetime warranty is hard to pass up! :-)

Dhiana--you are so right about military coats! I would love to have one (DH does). I don't think there is a store near us that carries them anymore, though. There used to be an Army/Navy surplus store about an hour a way, but it closed down. I never see military issue coats at the thrift stores around here, so I am not sure where else to look other than maybe craigslist or ebay.

Thanks again, everyone!

[SteveinMN]

Kat, if you were okay buying mail-order from Lands' End or L.L. Bean, a Web search of "army navy surplus" shows a bunch of stores. I can't speak to the quality of the store and the goods, but it may be an option for you.